“What would she want?
Just the thought of going to buy a gift for the child lifted Winston’s spirits. How lovely Angela would be, thrilled to receive it.
And...
Thinking that Yujin’s heart would soften upon seeing such a child made it feel like an incredibly important mission. So much so that Winston even fantasized that all the resentment between them would melt away as they grew closer.
Of course, Winston was already painfully aware that reality was far less forgiving. But a brief moment of imagination wouldn’t hurt, would it? For the sake of the sweetness of illusion, Winston astonishingly chose to turn away from reality. Then, finally, he took out the letter and unfolded it before his eyes.
Despite the wide and long sheet, surprisingly little was written. Winston furrowed his brow unconsciously at the absurdly brief message and fixed his gaze on the first line.
To Santa Claus.
The slowly penned, still shaky handwriting pressed firmly onto the paper came into Winston’s view. Moving only his eyes, he followed the letters repeatedly, reading the same phrase several times but finding no change.
“Humph.”
A short sigh escaped Winston’s lips. Whether it was disbelief, embarrassment, or confusion, even he could not tell. When the butler brought the tea, Winston was still staring at the letter in the same posture.
“Mr. Campbell.”
The butler placed the teacup carefully before him and spoke cautiously. Only then did Winston lower the letter and raise his eyes, meeting the butler’s ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) embarrassed expression.
“Mr. Yujin says he has something to discuss. Shall I bring him here?”
Winston paused momentarily. His mind was still tangled with emotions. Yet, he had no excuse to avoid Yujin.
“Bring him here in ten minutes.”
After saying that, Winston lifted the teacup to his lips. The hot, bitter tea slid down his throat, and reason seemed to return. He skimmed the letter once more before placing it inside the drawer. Now, he had to prepare to meet Yujin.
Yujin approached the study with larger-than-usual strides, his face flushed red. All day long, he had run countless simulations in his mind, pondering how to confront and persuade Winston. Since hearing that Angela had gone to the post office, he had been simmering with anger. This time, he was determined to get answers.
Stopping in front of the study, he took a deep breath, shoulders rising once. Composing himself with a resolute expression, he knocked firmly.
“Come in.”
Without hesitation, Yujin grabbed the handle and opened the door. Winston stood leaning against the desk directly ahead, watching him. The moment Yujin stepped inside boldly, he suddenly realized: this was the very study where the will had been announced—and where their deal had been made.
Memories of how cruel and insulting this man had been to him since their first meeting surged vividly, stoking his anger further. Striding confidently to the center of the study, Yujin deliberately kept his distance and spoke.
“You let Angie go out, but not me? That’s unfair.”
He tried to suppress his emotions, but his voice still sounded unmistakably angry. To avoid seeming irrational, he quickly added:
“There was no clause in our contract allowing you to restrict my freedom. So stop this nonsense of imprisoning me. I’m going back to Delight.”
“That’s not allowed.”
“What?”
Yujin was momentarily confused by Winston’s meaning. What wasn’t allowed? His going out? Or returning to Delight?
As if sensing the question forming in Yujin’s mind, Winston continued.
“Delight is under internal repairs right now. It won’t be usable for months.”
That was no lie. Though Winston had no intention of telling Yujin the real reason for the repairs.
“Repairs? Why all of a sudden?”
Yujin’s evident confusion drew a smooth reply from Winston.
“We’d talked about maintenance for a while. Experts said the mansion is sinking bit by bit, so the timing just happened to line up.”
There was no flaw in his explanation. Yujin blinked in bewilderment, then snapped back to himself. What did any of that have to do with him? No matter the state of Delight, it was none of his business.
“Fine, I get it. But that doesn’t mean I can’t go out, right? I don’t need your permission anymore. I’ll do as I please.”
Throwing a tantrum wasn’t very adult, but there was no time for reasoning. He had tried many times to negotiate with this man maturely, only to fail. Yujin thought he was probably closer to the man’s view of him now than ever before. Sure enough, Winston frowned at him.
“So, you want to waste money?”
“Yes, I’ll spend it all recklessly. I’ll blow all your money.”
Yujin declared boldly, puffing out his chest.
“Didn’t you know? I married you for that. So now you have to give me what I want.”
There was no hesitation in his words. He sounded truly desperate and helpless. That seemed to justify his words and actions in some way, but Winston remained silent.
Why does he look so awkward?
Frowning without thinking, Winston stared fixedly at Yujin. It felt like watching a terrible actor on stage who had no talent and relied solely on his looks. The flushed cheeks and shining eyes showed Yujin was more excited than usual, but his tone and actions were painfully awkward. Suddenly, Winston sensed that the reason for Yujin’s anger lay elsewhere.
What on earth was it?
Unfortunately, his thoughts stopped there. Yujin glared at him with a reddened face, shoulders trembling. It was utterly captivating. The man who once completely stole Winston’s soul was right in front of him now. Winston, who had vowed never to make the same mistake again, was shaken strongly.
...Haah.
A spontaneous, light sigh escaped his lips. Suddenly, a tense atmosphere settled in the air. Yujin noticed it too. His heart started pounding like crazy.
His mouth dried up and felt like it was burning. Unconsciously, Yujin stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. Winston narrowed his eyes, and only then did Yujin realize his mistake.
“D-Don’t think weird thoughts.”
He’d messed up again. By bringing it up, he only intensified the tension between them. His voice was terribly hoarse, and his words were just as bad. Winston proved this by twisting the corner of his mouth into a smile.
“Weird thoughts? What do you mean?”
Feigning ignorance though clearly knowing, Winston’s mocking manner angered Yujin. He glared fiercely. He had fallen right into the trap. Now, there was no choice but to jump into the powder keg together.
“I see right through you. If you want to play innocent, at least try to hide it.”
If he played coy again, Yujin thought he might just kick that swollen thigh of his. Of course, that was just imagination; he had no courage to actually do it. As he braced himself, Winston chuckled quietly.
“Oh, caught me?”
“Ha.”
Yujin let his shoulders relax. That man seemed to have no intention of hiding his desires at all. Did he not realize that his target was none other than Yujin, the one he so despised and hated? Or was there some other reason?
“Getting excited watching me get mad? Are you out of your mind? Or do you just think I’m that ridiculous?”
Yujin asked sharply. Winston openly smiled and said:
“I’d never look down on you. If I did, I wouldn’t have ‘hardened up’ like this.”
Winston’s choice of words embarrassed Yujin instead. Hesitant and flustered, he faltered. Winston then spoke again.
“Sweetheart, do you remember the day the will was announced?”
